Abstract: A photonic-crystal filament is formed by mixing a slurry comprising particles of substantially uniform size and a precursor material for a desired metal, urging the slurry through an orifice to force the particles and precursor material into a combination having a desired crystallographic configuration, drying the combination emerging from the orifice, and sintering the precursor material.

Abstract: A tri-model circuit breaker for use in a rapid-start fluorescent lamp. The circuit breaker includes a glass bulb, first and second electrical leads sealed into and passing through the glass bulb, and a bimetallic element disposed within the bulb and having first and second end portions. The first end portion of the bimetallic element is affixed to the first electrical lead while the second end portion of the bimetallic element is formed to be spaced from the second electrical lead at a first elevated temperature and in contact with the second electrical lead at ambient temperature and at a second elevated temperature higher than the first elevated temperature. The contact points of the circuit breaker at ambient and at the second elevated temperature are at the same location within the breaker.

Abstract: A rapid-start fluorescent lamp has a tubular envelope with a phosphor-coated inner wall surface, a pair of spaced electrodes and a pair of electrical leads sealed into each end of the envelope with one electrical lead connected directly to the electrode and the other electrical lead having an integral circuit breaker connected to the electrode and formed to disconnect the electrode from an energy source during lamp operation. Also, the rapid-start fluorescent lamp is fabricated by preparing a phosphor coated envelope, forming a pair of end members having a pair of leads and an integral circuit breaker with one lead connected directly to the electrode and the circuit breaker connecting the other lead to the electrode, sealing the end members into the envelope, heating and exhaust tubes the envelope, heating the electrodes via the circuit breaker, dispensing a fill gas and mercury into the envelope and pinching off the exhausting of the envelope.

Abstract: Mercury release into a sealed arc discharge lamp is accomplished by positioning a mercury containing target within the lamp and heating the same by electron bombardment derived from a D.C. power supply connected between an electrode of the lamp and the mercury target.